Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (10)

 

     As the Chancellor left, I removed the robe I was wearing and looked into the Emperor’s face, when a lady-in-waiting from the Empress's residence wrote a letter on her behalf:

"When Kenshi, your sister, was by the Emperor’s side, we were able to inquire about his condition in detail, which was reassuring.  Instead, we are worried about him because  we only receive cursory replies.  As you are connected with Princess Teishi (1013-1094), the Emperor’s maternal grandmother, like Kenshi, we appreciate you like her.  Please, provide a detailed report of his current condition."

     The Emperor asked, "Whose letter is this?" I replied, "From the Empress."  He asked me to send a message saying, "Please come at noon," so I wrote it down and delivered it to the Empress.

     The Empress came around noon.  We packed up our equipment and left the room, as the emperor told us to rest for a while.  However, I thought, "Maybe he will call me," and I waited by the sliding screen.

     Of course, I had no way of knowing what the Empress was saying to the Emperor.  After a while, he lightly clinked his fan to summon someone.

     He wanted to just order, "Bring that."  After I handed it to him, he said, "Put up the sliding screen again."  I thought to myself, "I'm so glad I stayed instead of leaving."  He seemed to have more to say to the Empress.  I quickly left, and closed the sliding screen.

     "Please clink your fan when you have business," I heard the Empress say to the Emperor, but the sliding screen never opened again.

     The Empress returned in the evening, and all the ladies-in-waiting came to the Emperor's side.  Abruptlyly, he had a better color in his face, and he appeared in better health and said,

"Today, I feel like dawn has broken a little."

     What can I compare to the joy I felt when I heard him say this?